Canada’s provinces and territories: an overview for newcomers

So, you want to immigrate to Canada, but which province is the best fit for you?

As the second-largest country in the world, there’s a long list of settlement options, from cosmopolitan cities, to rural settings to somewhere in between. The country is made up of 10 provinces and three territories, and each one is very different, from landscape to economy to culture. So, it’s important to do your research to decide which province is right for you. Here’s an overview of information on Canada’s provinces and territories, from west to east to north, to help you get started.

WESTERN CANADA

British Columbia

With its natural attractions, ocean-front cities and mild weather, British Columbia is a Canada’s second most-populated province. Located beside the Pacific Ocean, B.C. is a hotspot for whale watching, hiking, fishing and enjoying the beautiful forests. It boasts world-class universities (UBC and SFU), and many natural wonders.

Population: 4.8172 million

Immigrants (as of 2016): 1,292,675

Average household income (as of 2015): $79,750

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $720,689

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from England, Scotland, and Germany; East and Southeast Asian, predominantly from China; Aboriginal; and South Asian, predominantly from India

PRAIRIES

Banff National Park in Alberta.

Alberta

Comprised of mountains, deserts, cities and farmland, there’s a little bit of everything in Alberta. With its energy industry, active tourism business and better affordability than in B.C., Alberta’s appeal continues to grow. It’s known for a bit of a cowboy culture as well as its dinosaur badlands and beautiful Rocky Mountains.

Population: 4.2861 million

Immigrants (as of 2016): 845,220

Average household income (as of 2015): $100,300

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $449,790

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from England, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, France and Ukraine; Aboriginal; South Asian, predominantly from India; and East and Southeast Asian predominantly from China and the Philippines

Main industries: mining; energy; agri-food

Capital city: Edmonton

Saskatchewan

Flat and, therefore, ideal for agriculture, Saskatchewan may be good for you if you are in the farming industry. The Prairie province lies right above American states Montana and North Dakota.

Population: 1.1639 million

Immigrants (as of 2016): 112,495

Average household income (as of 2015): $86,970

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $318,917

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, Ukraine, and France; East and Southeast Asian predominantly from the Philippines and China; and South Asian, predominantly from East India

Main industries: agriculture; mining; forestry; service industry

Capital city: Regina

Manitoba

Known to many as the polar bear capital, Manitoba is a great place to head if you love wildlife. The province is a good place to settle if you’re interested in the manufacturing industry, which takes advantage of the province’s central position in Canada.

Population: 1.3381 million

Immigrants (as of 2016): 227,465

Average household income (as of 2015): $76,990

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $297,444

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from England, Scotland, Ireland and France; Aboriginal; and East and Southeast Asian predominantly from the Philippines and China

Main industries: manufacturing; finance; agriculture

Capital city: Winnipeg

CENTRAL CANADA
(or Eastern Canada)

View of Toronto.

Ontario

Home of Canada’s national capital city (Ottawa), Ontario leads the country not only in government headquarters, but also in population and diversity. Ontarians make up more than one-third of Canadians. Regardless of your background, if you head to big cities like Toronto or Ottawa, you’ll surely find people from your country of origin. There are also lots of opportunities in less-populated regions of the Ontario, such as northern Ontario. Not to mention, you’ll never run out of things to do as Ontario is home to many key Canadian attractions, such as the CN Tower, Parliament Hill and Niagara Falls, as well as plenty of top educational institutes like University of Toronto, York University and Ryerson University, among others.

Population: 14.1934 million

Immigrants (as of 2016): 3,852,145

Average household income (as of 2015): $81,480

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $506,409

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy; East and Southeast Asian predominantly from China and the Philippines; South Asian, predominantly from East India; Aboriginal; and Caribbean, predominantly from Jamaica

Quebec

Quebec has a distinct French culture, and French is the predominant language, with more than three-quarters who speak it as their first language. France was a founding nation of Canada, of course, and that history is embedded in today’s Quebec. Even as recently as late 20th century, there have been efforts by some Quebec factions to separate from Canada. Today, its government has a lot more independence and control than other provinces in Canada, including over its immigration system.

Population: 8.3940 million

Immigrants (as of 2016): 1,091,305

Average household income (as of 2015): $75,530

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $290,484

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from France, Italy and Ireland; Aboriginal; Caribbean, predominantly from Haiti; and East and Southeast Asian, predominantly from China

THE ATLANTIC

Signal Hall in Newfoundland.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador has gained a reputation for being home to some of the nicest people in the world. Having been declared a province in just 1949, it is the youngest and one of the friendliest places in the country. It is also known for its icebergs!

Population: 528.8 thousand

Immigrants: (as of 2016): 12,080

Average household income (as of 2015): $79,260

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $243,157

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from England and Ireland; East and Southeast Asian, predominantly from China and the Philippines; and Aboriginal

Prince Edward Island

Famous for its seafood, Atlantic Ocean perimeter, red sand beaches and lighthouses, P.E.I. may be Canada’s smallest province, but it certainly has a big personality. P.E.I. is the birthplace of Confederation, and is connected to mainland Canada by one of the longest continuous bridges in the world, the Confederation Bridge. The much-loved Canadian book Anne of Green Gables, is also set in P.E.I.

Population: 152.0 thousand

Immigrants (as of 2016): 8,940

Average household income (as of 2015): $73,910

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $197,966

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from Scotland, England, Ireland and France; Aboriginal; and East and Southeast Asian, predominantly from China

Main industries: agriculture; fishing; bioscience

Capital city: Charlottetown

Nova Scotia

With its name meaning “new Scotland,” Nova Scotia is home to a rich Gaelic and Celtic culture. Nova Scotia is the most populous Atlantic province, with a long history as the gateway to Canada — many immigrants landed by ship at Pier 21, which today is home to a national immigration museum. As Canada’s largest east coast port, the capital, Halifax, has played an important role in Atlantic trade and defence, and is home to Canada’s largest naval base.

Population: 953.9 thousand

Immigrants (as of 2016): 55,675

Average household income (as of 2015): $73,900

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $230,441

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from Scotland, England, Ireland and France; Aboriginal; and East and Southeast Asian, predominantly from China

New Brunswick

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, this maritime province is known for its whale watching and the unpredictable wavy waters along its coast. Largely made up of forests, New Brunswick is a good place to go if you are in the forestry industry. Other than Quebec, it is also the most bilingual province in Canada (French and English).

Population: 759.7 thousand

Immigrants (as of 2016): 33,810

Average household income (as of 2015): $71,040

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $170,071

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from France, England, Ireland, Scotland; Aboriginal; Asian, predominantly from Lebanon; South Asian, predominantly from East India; and East and Southeast Asian predominantly from China and the Philippines

Main industries: mining; trade; construction; forestry

Capital city: Fredericton

THE NORTH

Yukon, Canada.

Yukon

Sandwiched between the Northwest Territories and Alaska, the Yukon is known for its mountainous landscape, glacier-filled lakes and gold mining history. The territory often competes with Nunavut as the lowest-populated part of Canada.

Population: 38.5 thousand

Immigrants (as of 2016): 4,410

Average household income (as of 2015): $100,130

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $371,716

Predominant ethnicity: European, predominantly from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany; Aboriginal; and East and Southeast Asian, predominantly from the Philippines

Main industries: mining; energy; forestry; hunting and fishing

Capital city: Whitehorse

Northwest Territories

If you love snow and outdoor activities like hiking, fishing and bird watching, you may want to think about the Northwest Territories. The sparsely populated area is a great spot for taking in the northern lights. There may also be great professional opportunities there due to the lack of competition.

Population: 44.5 thousand

Immigrants (as of 2016): 3,690

Average household income (as of 2015): $117,100

Average cost of home (as of 2016): $346,427

Predominant ethnicity: Aboriginal; European, predominantly from England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Germany; and East and Southeast Asian, predominantly from the Philippines

Main industries: mining; energy; hunting and fishing

Capital city: Yellowknife

Nunavut

As the least dense and most northerly place in Canada, Nunavut is filled with Arctic wildlife and largely virgin lands. Despite being known as the youngest territory in the nation, its population is mostly made up of Aboriginal people.

Authors

About us…

Founded in 2004, the magazine began with a mandate to "inform, educate and motivate" immigrants to Canada and assist them in their new found journey. Since then, the magazine has grown to be the only national multi-platform brand for all immigrants to Canada, on topics from careers to education to settlement.
Canadian Immigrant not only connects newcomers in Canada, but also aspiring immigrants from more than 150 countries.

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